Performance Analysis of V-trough Solar Water Heater using Curve Shaped Riser Tubes

Abstract

An experimental study has been carried out in a V-trough solar water heating system (SWHS) equipped with curve shaped riser tubes (CSRT). By adding CSRT, the performance of the V-trough SWHS has improved. Experiments were carried out at different mass flow rates and different pitch values CSRT. Due to incorporation of reflector and shape of riser tubes leads to better efficiency and performance of the collector. In comparison to a plain tube CSRT offers better thermal performance. The results obtained indicate that curve shaped riser tubes have a larger frictional factor and Nusselt number than the plain riser tubes. As compared to the plain tube, the rise in Nusselt number is 41.04% and 49.43% at 100mm pitch, corresponding to a Reynolds number of 5500 and 14500 respectively.